On Stage

It takes labor to dig ore from a mine,
extract wealth
from an overburdens of clay.
And there are no holidays.

Mines are also places of danger:
There is much to fear:
cave-ins, weak pillars, drop-offs and rivers,
earthquakes,
false veins of ore.

You are forced to work in the dark,
so proceed by feel,
sometimes
bent over and kneeling.

It's a one-man show, tedious and frustrating
nearly always slow.

As you know,
there is slag for removal,
ore to be refined
before you can extract the gold.

Patience is required.
and you accept living with fear
Inspiration is the fear of falling
with no help near.

Even so, you experience joy.
It’s the poet’s failing.